Batteries are they worth it...

Solarchaser

Screwdriva said:

Solarchaser said:

You are gonna get a shock when you do your calculations about your solar panels then.

Very expensive panels take alot more time ti pay back

My calculations were done in 2019, the year of installation. I'm fortunate to be able to absorb the extra cost as I wanted the best available panels given the limited, hard to access roof area. I update a thread for all who are interested in their performance.  

Do not forget that your first choice LG have stopped making panels, so where is the support in that type of purchase.

I haven't forgotten - see attached below. It's not just their solar panels. I recently had a replacement power board fitted to my 5 year old LG OLED television, long out of warranty, at zero cost to me. 

Would you be willing to place a friendly wager on the likelihood of receiving the same from GoWatt/ Sofar/ Insert brand here? 

Yes I've followed your thread, and commented on it a few times.

You have paid your money, and stand by it, and I respect that.
We can all only go on out experience and the facts presented from the collective. 

LG is a brand I used to work on, (tvs actually) and because I seen how LG do (or done) things, I'd never buy LG, you are happy with your purchase, cool, good for you.
You are 400 miles further south than me, and so should see about 600kwh a year more especially with your bifacial panels and optimisers, but you don't seem to, that would concern me, but you are happy with them and really that's what matters.

I had a 10 year warranty with my Italian inverter and German panels,  which were worth nothing when they went faulty, as the company had went bust.... this is very common in solar.

Those who have growatt and get on well with them, great, I really hope that continues for you, just as I really hope screwdrivas panels and inverter never have to test their warranty.

At the end if the day we all make our own decisions and put our money where we believe, I can only convey my experience in the hope it saves someone having the same bad experiences I've had.

Screwdriva

Solarchaser said:

You are 400 miles further south than me, and so should see about 600kwh a year more especially with your bifacial panels and optimisers, but you don't seem to, that would concern me, but you are happy with them and really that's what matters.

You may recall that 40% of my system faces an East/ West orientation. We also have a chimney in the middle of the South Facing roof layout (<- pictured), which shades 20% of the South facing panels from 10am-3pm. I'd tweak your comment to say, given the limitations I've just shared, I'm very pleased with the performance to date. That said, I still look for another system in my area for a more accurate comparison, rather than relying on map/ compass comparisons from leagues away. 

Solarchaser said:

I had a 10 year warranty with my Italian inverter and German panels,  which were worth nothing when they went faulty, as the company had went bust.... this is very common in solar.

Those who have growatt and get on well with them, great, I really hope that continues for you, just as I really hope screwdrivas panels and inverter never have to test their warranty.

At the end if the day we all make our own decisions and put our money where we believe, I can only convey my experience in the hope it saves someone having the same bad experiences I've had.

This is exactly why I invested in the brands I did. Greater relative confidence in their warranty and quality of product. Even if one were to look the other way on human rights abuses, geopolitical conflict, IP theft and corporate ethics, there's just no way anyone can claim Chinese brand superiority in these areas. 

And this is why I (and others) have shared the views that we have when it comes to the brands we have/ don't have faith in. To help, but definitely not to cause offense, often localized to some already invested in these brands.